As the pace of globalization accelerates and diverse technologies converge, new organizational approaches and management skills are imperative for career success. Technological change alters the fundamental structure of firms and calls for new organizational approaches and management skills.

As a professional whether in practice or in employment, you will be dealing with complex situations, issues, needs goals, styles and cultures characterized by the ambiguity and complexities due to the ever changing socio-economic environment and human interactions at a global level; definitely more difficult to predict and counter compared to the technical certainties of a professional. Communication skills is of paramount importance. Your credibility as a leader or facilitator depends to a large extent on how clearly and forcefully you are able to express your views. A report, presentation or even a telephonic talk is an emissary of your personality: unless well done, could cause considerable damage to your image and career aspirations.

The General Management and Communication Skills(GMCS) Course aims to impart training to translate such challenges in to rewarding opportunities. The positive feedback from participants of the Course, indicates that they have benefited immensely from the soft skills and management concepts imparted during the GMCS Course through a variety of interactive training techniques. Based on the feedback received from participants, organizers and senior members, the Background Material, a handy reference book distributed to the participants is being revised regularly to include contemporary topics. This edition of the Background Material also contains the revised Training Calendar.

It has been the constant endeavour of Board of Studies to improve the quality, content and delivery mechanism of the GMCS course since its launch. A series of steps like development of Training Calendar, Trainers' Guide and computerized analysis of participants feedback have resulted in beneficial improvement of the Course. This quest for improvement will continue. Your constructive feedback is valuable to enable us to improve the Course quality and enhance the learning experience. Participants are requested to fill the Feedback Form provided in this book and give their suggestions/ comments on the Course and the Background Material.

Have you ever wondered why some people with mediocre talent go much further than people with vastly superior genius? The secret is that truly successful people are those with the power of high self-esteem and great inner drive; who learn from their mistakes and instead of wasting their energy in complaining, use the energy for being twice as good. The less energy you spend on emotional pondering, the more you have to take intelligent decisions. Have avid faith in yourself and be a winner!